The crowd below held their breath, watching quietly as the two prepared for their confrontation.
Gongyang He sneered, "They announced it to me just now. How could Marquis Anguo not know? What exactly do you mean? Are you trying to bully us, who are not in the capital, and let you, a capital official, trample on us?"
Dugu Xiao and others couldn't help but cheer.
This remark, besides being a challenge, also pitted Liang Xiao, who was from the capital, against the officials from Jiangnan. It was a move of profound cunning!
Liang Xiao smiled and said, "Are you truly the Grand Tutor? This Marquis looks somewhat human, at least. Earlier, Gongyang Long openly reveled in bullying and poaching. By all accounts, his father should be a sleazy, shameless beast in fine clothes. Alas, I never expected... I never expected..."
Having spoken, Liang Xiao did not forget to sigh, putting on a look of deep sorrow.
Gongyang He frowned and looked at Gongyang Long.
"Father, don't listen to his nonsense..." Gongyang Long said anxiously.
Just then, Liu Feng from below burst into laughter, "Grand Tutor, the talented Gongyang is showing off about snatching someone's fiancée again. This is hardly the demeanor a scholar should possess!"
A group of scholars nearby chimed in their agreement.
Gongyang He's face immediately fell.
"Father..."
Before Gongyang Long could explain, he was slapped by Gongyang He. He stood there, stunned!
His father, who had always doted on him, had actually slapped him in public?
"My son is arrogant. I have been negligent in his upbringing recently and will punish him when we return."
Gongyang He, with a forced smile, looked at Liang Xiao and continued, "However, your rudeness, Liang Xiao, makes me see things more clearly. After all, you are but a passerby in my life. Why should we know each other?"
Liang Xiao responded without hesitation, "The rise and fall of ages, who is not a passerby?"
The moment his words fell, the entire hall fell into a brief silence, followed by thunderous applause and shouts of approval!
Zhuo Zifang sighed, "For the Grand Tutor to argue with a junior is one thing, but to actually..."
Zhuo Zifang's unfinished words made Gongyang He's face grow increasingly grim.
He had actually been outmaneuvered by the other party!
His remark about "passerby" stemmed from personal grievances.
Who would have thought Liang Xiao would broaden his perspective to encompass all of history, where everyone is a passerby?
On the surface, they seemed unrelated, but in reality, the superiority of one over the other was clearly evident, a sharp mockery of Gongyang He's petty-mindedness and short-sightedness!
Yu Qingchuan below felt a surge of relief, and Jian Qinwan was almost moved to tears of joy.
She detested pretentious scholars. Liang Xiao, who was skilled in both martial and literary arts, could also verbally spar with these hypocritical scholars, bringing immense satisfaction!
"This young lady will not be your passerby. I want to grow old with you, to be your Bodhisattva, your Rakshasa... and your demoness!"
The innocent maiden had only heard Liang Xiao call her "demoness" once. Although she didn't understand its meaning, she remembered it.
Yunxiu Zhai Master gazed at Liang Xiao on the stage from afar, sighing deeply.
Lin'er and Yun Jiu remained silent.
At this moment, Lin'er wanted to "worship" her "Brother Liang Xiao," but felt a pang of sadness.
With this person standing in their way, and the princess of Daheng Kingdom also smitten with him, Daheng's hope of restoration was destined to be futile. No wonder her uncle sought to recruit him by any means!
Yue Lian was firmly protected by the Tianshan knights and the female soldiers of the Dingguo Marquisate, with guards from the Zhuo family surrounding them. There was no opportunity to make a move!
Ye Qingyi simply gazed blankly at Liang Xiao, unable to stop her tears.
She had thought that by leaving the capital, she could forget him, but he, through his repeated heroic deeds, continued to impact her heart...
Preventing the spread of disease, establishing bookshops and newspapers, defending Luzhou, soaring through Jiangnan... According to Marshal Zuo Wushang, he might even be General Tian himself!!
Such a man, however, had become an insurmountable chasm for her cause of restoring the kingdom!
At this moment, Gongyang He was left speechless by Liang Xiao's retort, his face merely grim.
He Jingyun couldn't bear to watch and quickly stepped forward to mediate, "The two of you are friends of literature, there's no need to take offense. The Jiangnan Spring Banquet is meant to be a gathering of guests, full of joy and harmony!"
Friends of literature?
Gongyang He's brow twitched. He almost couldn't resist jumping over to slap He Jingyun.
He had just been verbally attacked by Liang Xiao and suffered a hidden loss, and now He Jingyun was bringing up the most sensitive topic!
Zhuo Zifang also stroked his beard and smiled, saying happily, "Prefect He speaks wisely."
Gongyang He almost bit through his teeth, cursing inwardly: What wisdom...
It was true that his Gongyang clan had immense power in Jiangnan, but they did not dare to openly commit crimes.
He Jingyun and Zhuo Zifang both siding with Liang Xiao meant that the He family and Zhuo family of Jiangnan would also side with Liang Xiao. This was problematic!
Zhuo Zifang reminded him, "That's right, Grand Tutor. Liang Xiao bears an imperial decree from His Majesty, ordering him to inspect Jiangnan, just as he did the East Sea."
Gongyang He's expression changed, and he sneered, "So that's how it is. But he can't possibly oversee an official of my rank, can he?"
"That depends on whether you have committed any wrongdoing. If you have, you will be prosecuted along with everyone else, and no leniency will be shown," Liang Xiao retorted with a smirk.
Gongyang He's breathing hitched, and he said sternly, "You are overthinking. My Gongyang clan has served for four generations in high office. It is not your place, a junior, to point fingers!"
Liang Xiao, too lazy to bother with the Gongyang father and son, took out the imperial decree from his sleeve and began to read it.
Gongyang He could only stand there with a dark face, along with everyone else, kneeling to receive the decree.
The content of the decree was indeed similar to that of the East Sea, and even the Heavenly Son's Sword of Authority was prepared!
After everyone had risen, Liang Xiao once again announced loudly, "Everyone, do not feel constrained by my arrival. Feel free to speak your minds. I am merely a guest at the Jiangnan Spring Banquet, and should not affect everyone's normal exchange. That is why I was in no hurry to reveal my name earlier at the venue."
The crowd understood and repeatedly clasped their fists in gratitude.
Gu Pingtíng and He Qiushui had quietly approached Ye Qingyi, tugged at her hand, and chided, "Sister Qingyi, you are too mischievous!"
Ye Qingyi had stopped her tears and, hearing this, couldn't help but laugh, "I just didn't want to interfere with Marquis Anguo's duties..."
At this moment, the two talented ladies were filled with regret, staring intently at Liang Xiao on the stage with resentful gazes.
They finally understood what He Jingyun had meant.
This Marquis Anguo truly seemed beyond their reach of infatuation...
"I never expected the famous Marquis Anguo would also travel thousands of miles to attend this event!"
A hearty laugh echoed from the distance. Everyone turned to look, only to see an old man in opulent robes and a young man in similar attire, escorted by ten guards, approaching.
"Prince Nan has also come! And that must be the Prince Nan's heir!" people exclaimed in surprise.
Liang Xiao's expression changed.
Prince Nan, Xiao Chang, and Prince Nan's heir, Xiao Feng!
Xiao Chang, with his head full of white hair, approached the front and cupped his fists towards Liang Xiao and the others on stage, "Grand Tutor, Lord Zhuo, Prefect He, it has been a while!"
Gongyang He, who had been scowling, relaxed his brows and cupped his fists, "We are deeply honored by Prince Nan's presence!"
Zhuo Zifang frowned, "Why has Prince Nan come here?"
Xiao Chang replied, "I heard the Jiangnan Spring Banquet was being held, and Lord Zhuo was here, and even Marquis Anguo has appeared. Naturally, I too wish to join in the festivities."
Below, the talented men and women had varied reactions – some surprised, some delighted, some angered.
Liang Xiao merely sized up Xiao Chang and his son, then waved his hand at Xiao Chang with an impatient expression, "The Jiangnan Spring Banquet is a gathering place for the literati of the Daqian Kingdom. Prince Nan, as a minor prince at leisure, should avoid suspicion. Go home and play. This is not a place for you to be."
The moment his words fell, the entire hall was nearly shocked speechless!